Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23199, Peter Doxtater, New York

Albany 30.712
Peter Doxtator
of Jefferson Co. in the State of N. York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain of the Reg't commanded by Col. Bellinger in the N. York line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of June 1836 and sent to Hon. D. Wardwell N. Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 400.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Sept. " 40.00 $440.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown May 16. 1836 Clerk, Book 2. 2, Vol. 4 Page 17
Dead
Paid at the Treasury and the Act of the 6 th April 1835 from 4. Sept to 1. Decr 1842 Age notified 30. Sept 1841

Detached
Salon paper
R 018
12
E.
Albany Agency
(roll 1882)
act 14 May 1836
$80 per ann.
Hon. D. Wardwell H.R.
+ R

engaged in what was called the Oriskany battle with the Indians, about 20. miles from his place of residence, under the command of Genl. Herkimer who was severely wounded in the thigh, & Lobdellinger was taken prisoner at the same battle. — During the whole war, he was most frequently out in scouting parties, & being well acquainted with the country, his services were generally for that purpose, inasmuch that he became well known to the Indians, who used great exertions to catch him & a large bounty was offered for him. In the mean time, the Indians attacked & destroyed his house, crops, cattle & every thing valuable during the war. When Just at the close of the war, & the latter part of the last year, & he was informed by some of his acquaintances who had been taken prisoners, that the Indians were determined to have him at any rate, & therefore he moved from his residence, to Albany, for his safety. The service in which he was engaged, was such that he was not associated with any continental troops as he recollects, or if he was, their officers and other particulars respecting them are forgotten. He has never had any written discharge, nor does he know of any person living who can testify to his services except Jacob Meara, whose affidavit is here annexed. —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to Subscribed the day & year aforesaid J. Van Brunt Clerk
Peter his Gopten mark

Jacob Meara of Rodman in the County of Jefferson aforesaid being duly sworn according to law, in open court, before the Judges of the Court aforesaid deposes & says, that he was well acquainted with the aforesaid applicant, during the revolution, & was maternal near him during his residence at German Flats - That he was privy to his being frequently engaged in the service against the Indians, & that he was employed in the manner specified by the said applicant in his declaration. And he further says that he & others in the neigh- borhood knew the said applicant to have been particularly active & persevering against the Indians & that he was particularly obnoxious to them inasmuch as that they were very anxious to kill him & on that account he moved from German Flats to Albany or near there.
Subscribed his mark Jacob Meara
Sworn & subscribed
Given under my hand P. Van Rensselaer Clerk
The Enos Dits residing in the town of Sorrentino County of Jefferson aforesaid & Joshua Freeman resident of the town of Adams, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Doughty who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one years of age. That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that

opinion that the declaration of the said applicant is entitled to full credit & belief Enos Bliss.
Joshua Freeman
Sworn subscribed the day & year aforesaid P. Burroughs Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the said Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as in States. And the further certifies that Enos Bliss who has signed the foregoing certificate is a Blagman resident in the Town of Lorrain county aforesaid, & that Joshua Freeman who has also signed the same is a resident of Adams in said County credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, P. Burroughs Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Lorrain aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Doyler for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my office, this 11th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two P. Burroughs Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Feb'y 6 th 1844.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of Peter Soxtator, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 14 th May, 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. to the 1 st Dec. 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
J. W. Foster
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Peter Dettinger a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     First of May 1781 3 years & 10 months Pt. Henry Harbo Frederick Billings Peter Billings N.Y.          
Battles engaged in, Oriskany, German Flats
Residence of soldier at enlistment, German Flats, Herkimer Co. N.Y.
Date of application for pension, Feb. 11 1832
Residence at date of application, 24th Street, Washington D.C.
Age at date of application, born Dec. 25-1757 at German Flats N.Y.
Remarks: Soldier was dead in Dec. 1842. He left a widow whose name is not stated and there is no other family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Boston
23199.
INVALID.
File No. 23,199
Peter Boston
Rev. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 22 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 415
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sept 23/97 Joseph Atwell, Watertown, N.Y.
1915 Jan 20 Hist. to Mrs. E. H. Roomed (Anna C.) V. L. M. 1915 Feb 9 Hist. to Henrietta Stillman.

New York Revs.
Peter Doytater Suspended her to 1 Cchttunder 30 July 33,
papers delivered to the Hon. H. Wardwell in rect.
3066
Act. 7 June 32

State of New York. } County of Jefferson } ss
Peter Doytater of Ellisburg in the County of Jefferson & State of New York being duly sworn according to law, doth depose & say That on the 21 st day of September last he made his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, which together with the papers thereunto annexed having been returned from the War Department as defective. He further saith in answer to Objection No 5 th that it is impossible for him to compute the precise time he was actually engaged in the Service. Such was the nature of the Service He can only say that he was from near the first part of the first year of the war until the last year but one. he was all the time a volunteer to perform the Service (specified) in his said declaration. That his Service during the whole time, was sometimes a day or two. Some times a week & sometimes a month at a time - And he further says that he is sure that during the war the amount of time he was on active duty as a Soldier, would be at least Three years In answer to the 17 th Objection, he says that he was born on the 25 th day of December in the year 1759, in the town of German Flats in the County of Herkimer & State of New York - That he has no other record of his age than his Family Bible, which is now in his possession. - And that he has stated in his said declaration, the names of all the Officers, which he can recollect. And further he saith not
Peter Doytater
Sworn & subscribed this 10 th day of April 1833 before me
Benjamin Wright one of the Judges of Jefferson Co. Courts N.Y.

Suffolk County ss
being duly sworn according to law, depose & say that he is well acquainted with Isaac Mearns who hereby certify that Isaac Mearns of Rodum who made & subscribed to the affidavit attached to Peter Doytler's Declaration within referred to has to me well known for many years & that he is entitled to full credence & belief.
April 10 th 1833
Benjamin Wright one of the Judges of Suffolk Co. Court (Count 1 st ).
I, Peleg Burghard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that Benjamin Wright before whom the within affidavit was sworn to, is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Suffolk in the State of New York. That I know his signature to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 15 th day of April 1833 T. Burghard Clerk

State of New York Schoharie County
Nicholas Meyers of the town of Schoharie & County of Schoharie, being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with Peter Drostater, now of Ellisleigh in the county of Schoharie & was acquainted with him at the time of the Revolutionary war. That he this deponent is aged about seventy four years. That he was born in the same neighborhood where said Peter Drostater formerly resided. They used to go to school together, at the Griesman Flatts in Schoharie County - where they both resided when the Revolutionary war commenced. That he was in the same company with said Peter Drostater for several years, during the war; which company was commanded by Capt. Henry Winter - John Dammwood & Peter Meyers were the lieutenants. John Billings was Ensign, until he was killed in the summer of 1780. This deponent said Peter Drostater, found him dead in the meadows & carried his body into the Fort (called Fort Dayton) meadows & carried his body into the Fort (called Fort Dayton) at Griesman Flatts. Sergeant Melcher Fols. supplied his place afterwards. The company to which we belonged, was a militia company & we were first called into service, soon after the war commenced. The first year we had but little to do & after that, until the last  last year of the war we were in actual service, almost the whole time. Our company was composed of from sixty to seventy men & we were divided into separate sections & took turns in standing continual & relief guard. Some times we were required to guard the Fort, & some times to guard the boats up & down the Mohawk. The boats were employed in transporting provisions,

I mention of war - We were required, at all times, when we were not absent, away from home on duty, to answer to our names, at roll call, twice every day. This deponent further says that he knows that said Peter Dorstater was frequently away from home, a few days at a time, engaged in the service - some times guarding the boats from them and in scouting parties & harassing the Indians & Tories - That said Peter was a bold, careful & good soldier & it was said that the enemy had offered a large bounty for his head or scalp - This deponent further says that he knows that said Peter Dorstater was in the battle of German Flatts, which he believes was in the year 1778 - Col. Peter Bellinger had the command of the militia at that time - Genl. Herkimer, who had once had command, was killed some time before, in the battle at Oriskany - We had had another Col. by the name of Frederick Bellinger, who had been taken prisoner at the battle of Oriskany - This deponent further says that from his own personal knowledge & observation, he can safely state & does state & depose that said Peter Dorstater, was in actual service as a soldier, at different times, during the Revolutionary war - (excluding the time he was at home) at least two years & six months - This deponent further says that when called upon guard, as herein before stated, (guarding the fort) they were required to guard night & day & their of each soldier turns, for standing upon guard came as often as once & some times twice a week - and some times oftener - And further this deponent

south west -
Nicholas Meyer
I certify that on the 28 th day of December 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned justice, Nicholas Meyer, to me known to be the same person who signed his name to the foregoing deposition & made oaths to the truth of the contents of the same - and I further certify that he is a credible person & his statement may be relied upon -
Thos J. S. August Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Before me, Peter Dostie, a Notary Public, personally appeared Nicholas Meyer, being the same person who signed his name to the foregoing deposition, and acknowledged that he made the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. Given under my hand and the seal of said Notary Public this 28 th day of December, 1833. Notary Public : Peter Dostie Peter Dostie deposes in the foregoing affidavit of Nicholas Meyer, being said person, says that since making his application for a pension since the act of June 7 th 1832, he has seen & conversed with said Meyer in relation to the services of the Revolution. From said conversation many things, which occurred & which had been offered from the memory & recollection of this deponent, have been brought fresh to his remembrance - That he did not know that said Meyer was living until a short time ago & long since his said application - This deponent further says that he has heard the foregoing affidavit read & that the relation therein contained is true in substance & in fact, & that he was, from his best recollection, belief & knowledge, in actual service, as a soldier, during the Revolutionary war, more than three years, but that it is impossible for him & wholly out of his power, to state & specify the particular & precise time of each term of service - He further

A narrative of war - We were required, at all times, states that he had more or less duties to perform in the service every day, when in the neighborhood of his home, either standing when guard, in scouting parties, answering to his name at roll call for several years & during almost the whole of the war, after the first year of it. He further states that he is now in the eighty fourth year of his age - feeble & infirm, poor & in want of the bounty of government, to furnish him with the necessaries & comforts of life, for the few remaining days which are allotted to him. The burden of us, from which he can make any further proof of his services - Some I believe that 20th
day of January 1872 Before me Thos J B. Angel J. Pease
his Peter X Dupstater Mark
State of New York Jefferson County ss:
We the undersigned do hereby certify that we have long been acquainted with the above named Peter Dostater & that his reputation for truth & veracity is free & above suspicion - We further certify that we have, after & from our first acquaintance with him, heard him speak of as a soldier in the war of the Revolution & have heard him detail some of the scenes & events, which he witnessed & participated in, during that period, & we therefore fully believe that he was a valuable & faithful soldier & entitled to the bounty of government.
Benjamin Wright one of the Judges Jeff Co. Court's Forum Jason Marsh Post Master at Adams Jeff Co John H. Whipple
Thos. J. Angel one of the Justices of the Peace of Jeff Co. Calvin Skinner

J. CALHOUN, Fancy Job Printer, Watertown, N. Y.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, Jefferson County Clerk's Office, } ss.
PELEG BURCHARD, Clerk of said County, do hereby Certify, that Thos J Angel Esquire, before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace. in and for the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same.—And further, that I am well ac- quainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the same, to be his proper hand writing and signature.
WITNESS my hand and Seal of said County, this Twenty fifth, day of January, in the year 183 4  Peleg Burchard Clerk By A. E. Tuttle Deputy Clerk.
Neocawk - The book were employed in handwriting Missouri

PETER DOXTATOR AND JACOB WEAVER.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 73.]
JANUARY 5, 1836.
Mr. WARDWELL, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which were referred the petitions of Peter Doxtator and Jacob Weaver, report:
That these applications for pensions were made at the last Congress. A favorable report was made by the committee on the 25th March, 1834. A bill for the relief of the petitioners passed the House. The committee now refer to the facts stated in that report, and make the same a part of this report, and herewith present a bill.
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions have had under consideration the several applications of Peter Doxtator and Jacob Weaver, and report thereon:
It appears from the declarations of the applicants, that they served in the revolutionary war, in a regiment of militia commanded by Colonel Frederick Bellinger, and in a company commanded by Captain Henry Horter, all of the State of New York; that they were employed some portion of each year during the war, in active service. They state, under oath, that they knew each other to have been in the service; that they resided near each other at a place called German Flats, on the Mohawk river, in the State of New York. Said Weaver, under oath, states that the time he was actually employed on active duty as a soldier was at least three years. The said Doxtator, under oath, states that "his service during the whole time was, sometimes a day or two, sometimes a week, and sometimes a month at a time." "And he further says that he is sure that, during the war, the amount of time that he was on active duty, as a soldier, would be at least three years." These applications have been rejected at the War Department, on the ground that they did not specify the particular periods of service agreeably to the rules of that Department. The traditional evidence is such as is required by the Department, and their characters are vouched for as unexceptionable.

The committee would have had some doubts as to the propriety of allowing a pension to these individuals upon their own statements alone. But they believe the affidavit of Nicholas Myers, of Oswego, State of New York, places these applications beyond all controversy. He states that he was well acquainted with the said Doxtator and Weaver, in the revolutionary war; that he belonged to the same company to which they belonged; that they were called into service soon after the war commenced; that the first year they had but little to do, and after that, until the last year, they were in actual service almost the whole time; that, from his own personal knowledge and observation, he can safely state that said Peter Doxtator was in actual service, as a soldier, at different times during the revolutionary war, (deducting the time he was at home,) at least two years and six months, and said Weaver two years and three months. The character of the witness is proved to be good. The committee believe they are entitled to relief, and report a bill accordingly.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Peter Drastator which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No. Vid. Supplementary affidavit. Of delinquent amount the time length of time required in each term of service is necessary in order to a favorable decision in this case. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? (Notified, annoyed certificate) Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1, 2 & 5 (id, affidavit) 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
~ QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
‡QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

JANUARY 5, 1836.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
Mr. WARDWELL, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill:
A BILL
For the relief of Peter Doxtator and Jacob Weaver.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 3 the Secretary of War be authorized and required to place the 4 names of Peter Doxtator and Jacob Weaver on the list of revo- 5 lutionary pensioners, and pay to each of them the sum of 6 eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the fourth day of 7 March, eighteen hundred and thirty-one, and to continue during 8 their natural lives.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 23199.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
September 25, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Peter Doxtator, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that one Peter Doxtator, made an application for pension on September 11th, 1832, at which time he was 81 years of age and residing at Ellisburgh, New York, and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the New York troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Harter and Col. Bellinger. He enlisted at German Flats, New York.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mr. Joseph Atwell,
16 Washington St.,
Watertown, New York.

WOMEN'S SPECIALTY SHOP HENRIETTA STILLMAN ADAMS, N. Y.
February 2-1915.
Dept. of The Interior Washington, D.C.
5
Gentlemen:-
Please send me any record that you may have of Peter Doxtater who fought in the Revolution and was granted a special pension in 1834. He was from the Mohawk Valley New York State.
Thanking you in advance
Yours very truly, Henrietta Stillman.

Com. of Pensions
Dear Sir: -
Peter Doxtaler 1750-1842 Tombstone
Sir -
of Gen., came from German Flats Herkimer Co. to Adams 1802 -
wife Elizabeth Cunningham
He was a pensioner
Please send record in full
Respectfully
Anna C. Boomer
(Mrs. E.H.),
Third Sice
Adams N.Y.
1/15/-15
Anna Grenell Huggins
Regent of Deborah Champion Chapter D.A.R.

LAW OFFICES ROGERS & ATWELL. WATERTOWN, N.Y. WATSON M. ROGERS. JOSEPH ATWELL
September 15, 1897.
The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
May 14, 1836, by an Act of Congress, Peter Doxtater, then living at Adams, Jefferson County, N.Y., was placed upon the list of Revolutionary pensioners and continued until his death which occurred Dec. 1, 1842. Please send me certificate of these facts, to be attached to an application for membership in the society of "The Daughters of the Revolution." Let me know amount of your fee for same and I will remit.
Very respectfully,
Joseph Atwell